Mini-shuttle maker looks at Space Coast

May 3, 2012

Dream Chaser being developed by Sierra Nevada Space Systems.

Written by

James Dean

FLORIDA TODAY

The company developing a mini-space shuttle to fly astronauts will visit Cocoa Beach on Friday to discuss its interest in expanding operations to the Space Coast.

Mark Sirangelo, the head of Colorado-based Sierra Nevada Corp. Space Systems, will join Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll, Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana and local economic development officials for the 11:30 a.m. event being billed as the “Launch of Sierra Nevada Corporation in Florida.”

“Growth of innovative commercial aerospace companies like Sierra Nevada is the key to ensuring our state’s aerospace economy continues to thrive in the years to come,” said Space Florida President Frank DiBello. “We look forward to continuing to work with Mr. Sirangelo and his team to look at expanding their operations in Florida.”

Specifics about what kind work might be located here weren’t immediately available and Sirangelo couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday.

A Space Florida press release said Friday’s event will discuss “the potential for expanded space operations in Florida and next steps,” and “interest in establishing a variety of capabilities in Florida.”

Those capabilities could include processing or manufacturing related to the company’s “Dream Chaser” spacecraft, which resembles a small shuttle that launches on top of an expendable rocket and lands on a runway.

The Dream Chaser is one of four commercial space taxis — and the only winged vehicle — being developed with NASA support, all of which plan to launch from Florida. NASA hopes at least one commercial system will be ready to fly crews to the International Space Station by 2017.

The space agency plans to award its next round of development funding this summer, potentially trimming the field to just one or two finalists.

The scope of Sierra Nevada’s local interest likely is dependent on whether it continues to receive funding under NASA's commercial crew program, and on state incentives that are still being negotiated.

“We are pleased to be a part of the project team working with Space Florida and Sierra Nevada to demonstrate the advantages of expanding the company’s commercial crew operation on the Space Coast,” said Lynda Weatherman, president and CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast.

Among NASA’s other funded commercial crew partners, SpaceX already has a Cape Canaveral launch complex, and The Boeing Co. last fall announced plans to assemble its crew capsule in a former shuttle hangar at KSC, work that could create 550 jobs.